Voices of Haiti in Italy 2017 – Day 7

Posted on Friday August 4th, 2017

On the coast of Versilia, our children are dancing on the sand, they are running after the ball, they are following, eyes wide open, the magic of a magician; they are trying to paint on a long white canvas that is there just waiting for their creativity to blossom. The last week has been marked by a tight agenda, that has required discipline, concentration, and cold blood. Great showcases and great opportunities which have demanded a great effort that the choir has sustained with a seriousness and sense of responsibility that it would be unrealistic to hope to receive from peers at our latitudes.

Now, however, finally, the relief to see the kids acting like kids. At Bagni Faruk, the owner, dear friend of the Foundation and of Haiti (where he has been on ABF mission), has organized a party that will close in beauty the last Tuscan day of the Voices of Haiti. An opportunity to stay together with Virginia, and the whole Bocelli family, to have fun and resume the strength and sing, this time just for pure pleasure. Tomorrow, Rome is waiting for our singers, not as young professionals, but as tourists. Then, Paris. While Andrea will be, in a few hours, in Poland, for a new concert.

At sunset, before the sun sets into the Tuscan sea, the temperature, at last pleasant, the cheerful hustle and bustle of children, the little paradise that is hosting us, put us at peace, refreshing us more than one, (however advisable), full night of sleep.

After dinner, the gifts of a well-known Italian entrepreneur, Enrico Preziosi, the souvenir photos, applauses and hugs, the choral voice of children and the one, sometimes screeched by emotion, of adults.

Veronica and Andrea are enjoying this little holiday break, happy to be together with so many people who love them, who love each other: a colorful, joyous, extended family.

Sophie, the ABF volunteer, whom the children have, actually, chosen as their elder sister, (or vice mum), translates for Andrea what a teenage singer has asked her to tell him: ‘Tell Andrea that when he sings he makes me want to cry, and when he smiles he makes me want to live.’ Words that leave speechless: Andrea repeats in silence, smiling and saying, “Tonight I have received one of the most beautiful compliments of my whole life.’
Yet, still yesterday, still a few hours before (since after the concert, the gala dinner for ABF fundraising lasted until five in the morning) Bocelli was in triumph, the interpreter of a high profile Opera marathon. But words like those of the choir kid, overwhelm everything, they are exciting as well, or perhaps more, than those twelve thousand applauding viewers.

For the ‘Voices of Haiti’ the closing day at ‘Faruk’ with the Founder, President Stefano Aversa, Director General Laura Biancalani, all ABF staff and many friends, had opened with another special meeting: Javier Zanetti, famous Argentine footballer (and philanthropist), Andrea’s friend, the idol of all the aspiring footballers in the world, of children (and of their moms), wanted to come and greet the ABF choir, and the Haitian delegation of St. Luke Foundation.

Javier is a champion both in the football fields as well as outside. His foundation (the PUPI) is – just like ABF – at the forefront in the struggle against poverty and social exclusion: both strong in common principles, in using, developing, and improving education as a response for the self-affirmation of people and communities of belonging.
He has reached the structure that houses the choir without any bodyguards and without photographers, with a smile for everyone, adults and children, ready to sign over one hundred autographs, meet their Haitian fans, listen to their songs, play football with them, and answer their questions. The first of which has been, of course, how to become a champion, to which he has replied: «with much passion, much training, always chasing the dream I used to pursue when I was your age».

He too, last night, was at the Teatro del Silenzio: ‘An exciting experience: it was so much I wanted to take part in it, and, at last, I have been able to enjoy this event that is so followed and so engaging.’ In May, a first synergy between the foundations of Zanetti and Bocelli had given birth to a charity evening (then aired on TV) in the open-air theater of the Expo in Milan … ‘Music and sports can be an extraordinary engine; they can convey values and help others, especially children. We have common projects; we will certainly do other fine things together, because with Andrea, beyond the great esteem I have for him, we share the same values’.

In the afternoon, had been scheduled a visit to Lucca, the hometown of the most beloved opera composer in the world: he has grown up here, in fact, from a family of Lucchese musicians, and is the father of Manon Lescaut, La Boheme, Madama Butterfly, Tosca, Turandot’s … Giacomo Puccini (1858 – 1924) was born in the historic city center, at no. 9 of San Lorenzo Court. Here he was baptized (in the church of Saints John and Reparata), and here he made his debut, at nineteen, as a composer. As a boy he used to play the organ in the Cathedral of San Martino, while in 1878 he performed at the Giglio Theater as a piano accompanist.

And it was just inside this historical gem, the Giglio Theater, that the choir was expected, for a recording session, welcomed by the artistic director and composer Aldo Tarabella. He said he was interested in welcoming a concert of the ‘Voices of Haiti’ as well as in writing a new composition specifically for them.

After their commitment, they got again on the bus to the riviera, for the party and to say good bye, while on the web, and on newspapers were multiplying the pictures of the choir at the Teatro del Silenzio, so that, walking on the street, our children were recognized and greeted with contagious affection and celebration.